Italian course in Taormina - Sicily
Regional studies
Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean, is like looking into a fascinating archive of history. Their buildings and the faces of their people reveal the turbulent course of history as a result of the very different influences: Greeks, Romans, Goths, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, Germans, Aragonese, French and finally the Spanish Bourbon dynasty.
Taormina is an ancient hilltop city on the east coast of Sicily. From the magnificent Greco-Roman theater the view glides over the picture-perfect blue sea.
On the other side, the snow-covered peak of the Etna volcano dominates the scene. In the almost completely car-free old town of Taormina, locals and visitors alike stroll along Corso Umberto or have discussions over a glass of wine in the small, picturesque squares. Typical for the sun-drenched south: life pulsates until late in the evening and then slowly shifts to the bars and discos.
School & lessons
Our partner school, Centro di Lingua Babilonia, founded in 1992, is centrally located in an attractive townhouse with 6 classrooms. 9 classrooms (air-conditioned) and roof terrace with views of Etna and the sea and lounge with PC, TV and library. Around 50-60 participants from all over the world, average age around 30-33, arrive here every month; German speakers make up a good third. The atmosphere is very personal and familiar. Membership in the IALC professional associations guarantees excellently trained teachers and pedagogically well thought-out and structured didactics.
The teaching method is communicative, but does not forego grammar and uses the most modern teaching material. At the beginning there is a test (oral/written). Then everyone is divided into up to 6 learning levels with 6-8 people each. Caveat: With only 2 participants only 15 hours/week. given.
From December 2017, the Babilonia School is a participant in the International Association of Language Centers (IALC)!
Courses
A Standard course: 20 hours/week (45 min.) 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. or in summer sometimes 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., ages 17 and up. The focus is on oral expression in everyday situations. Further content: vocabulary expansion and deepening, grammar, pronunciation, exercises.
B Intensive course: 30 hours/week like A , 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., usually in smaller groups. Educational leave in Hesse, Berlin, Brandenburg and Hamburg. Serves, among other things, to work on special, mostly job-related topics. If no group is formed, 15 individual lessons will be given.
C Combination course: with 25 hours/week, like A and 1 individual lesson per day, 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., educational leave in Hesse and Hamburg. Ideally suited for correcting individual weaknesses or working on special tasks.
D + E 15, 20 or 30 individual lessons (55′) or two-to-one lessons; ideal for couples, friends with similar previous knowledge.
Leisure time
Thanks to the very mild, sometimes quite warm climate, swimming, water sports and beach life are a big topic from May to November. The friendly Babilonia team organizes 30 hours of activities per month, such as: cooking classes, 2 dinners together in a trattoria per month, film screenings, excursions.
Excursion to Agrigento Italian course Sicily
Accommodation
- Furnished room: Single room, double room (only if you arrive together) in a shared apartment with other participants, use of the kitchen and bathroom. Simple furnishings, bed linen and towels provided, 10-15 minute walk to school.
- Private accommodation: You will stay in an Italian household, single room or double room, with either breakfast or half board for an additional charge. Towels available, 10-20 minute walk to school.
- Studio: for 1 to 2 people for sole use with living room/bedroom, kitchenette, shower/WC, possibly and without guarantee also with balcony or terrace. Towels provided, up to 20 minutes walk to school.
- Guesthouse/Hotel**: Villa Nettuno or Hotel Splendid, single room (double room) with shower/WC. Small, familiar, breakfast, the former is located at the cable car, 7 minutes walk to the school. On request also hotels *** category.
Dates 2024
Course starts every Monday from February 5th, 2024 to December 16th, 2024
Beginners start on the following dates:
02/05, 02/19, 03/04, 03/18, 04/02, 04/08, 05/06, 05/13, 05/20, 05/27, 03/06, 06/10, 06/17, 06/24, 07/01, 07/08 ., July 15th, July 22nd, July 29th, August 5th, August 12th, August 19th, August 26th, September 2nd, September 9th, September 16th, September 23rd, September 30th, October 7th, October 14th. , October 21st, October 28th, November 11th, November 25th, December 2nd, December 16th, 2024
Holidays 2024: January 1st, January 6th, March 31st, April 1st, April 25th, May 1st, June 2nd, August 15th, November 1st, December 8th, December 25th, December 26th, 2024
Missed hours will be partially reimbursed.
Services
Course & accommodation (arrival Sunday, departure Saturday after course) as booked, placement test, certificate of participation, teaching material, learning magazine, local map, school information. Internet access for participants, pass for discounted purchases in nearby shops.
Transfer & flight offer
Transfer: One way from Catania Airport: €88, for 1 – 3 people or on your own by bus and train at least 1.5 hours.
Flight: From Germany to Catania from approx. 180 € plus taxes, flight time approx. 2.5 hours.
PRICES 2024
| Language course | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 |
| A standard | 330 | 660 | 990 | 1620 | 1920 |
| B Intensive* | 500 | 1000 | 1500 | 1950 | 1400 |
| C station wagon | 505 | 1010 | 1515 | 2510 | 3000 |
| D Private 20 hrs/week | 780 | ||||
| E Private 2*1; 10 hours/week | 540 | ||||
| * Educational leave in Lower Saxony and Hesse 380 €/week. Additional charge | |||||
| Accommodation | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 |
| Double room, shared apartment | 210 | 455 | 700 | 945 | 1435 |
| Single room, shared apartment | 270 | 585 | 900 | 1251 | 1845 |
| GF, single room with breakfast | 300 | 650 | 1000 | 1350 | 2050 |
| GF, EZ, HB | 360 | 780 | 1200 | 1620 | 2460 |
